Join Brian Gross at Memphis’ legendary Ardent Studio A with CEO Mark Danger as they explore how this iconic recording facility was transformed into a modern world-class recording destination. Since opening in 1971, Studio A has been home to legendary recordings by REM, Big Star, Stevie Ray Vaughan, ZZ Top, and countless Memphis music icons.
In recent years, Studio A’s control room received a complete overhaul, rebuilt from the ground up with a stunning Neve 8088R as the centerpiece with almost every piece of gear provided by our very own Brian Gross.
Mark reveals how Ardent balanced respect for history with cutting-edge technology throughout the studio’s modern revitalization. From replacing outdated soffit monitors to installing Equi=Tech balanced power throughout, every decision honored the studio’s legendary past while solidifying its future.
Discover why vintage digital gear designs still matter, how modern boutique equipment and consoles deliver classic sound with modern reliability, and what it takes to maintain a studio where performance comes first.
A Historic Live Room
The studio maintains its performance-first philosophy, where artists focus on capturing the magic at the source rather than relying on post-production fixes.
John Fry and Tom Dowd’s original live room design remains untouched, preserving the same legendary sound that made these historic recordings possible.
“The room still sounds the same as it did when Tom Dowd was involved – we just gave artists better tools to capture that magic.” – Mark Danger
Cutting-Edge Control Room
While the live rooms maintain their authentic character, the control room received a complete overhaul, rebuilt from the ground up to meet modern standards while respecting the studio’s sonic heritage.
At the heart of the transformation sits the Neve 8088R console, carefully chosen for its exceptional routing flexibility, pristine microphone preamps, and multi-track capabilities that can handle everything from intimate sessions to small orchestras.
Masterfully Curated Gear
A carefully curated mix of modern and vintage boutique gear from Dangerous Music, Manley, Solid State Logic, and more provides world-class sound with the reliability today’s sessions demand.
It was an honor for Brian and Providence to help Ardent outfit Studio A with top-notch gear, along with countless other pieces across Ardent’s other iconic studios.
Stay tuned for a tour of Ardent Studio B coming soon.
Building Your Own Studio?
Whether you’re just starting out or refining a world-class facility, Providence Sound and Vision is here to help. From gear recommendations to custom wiring, acoustic treatment, and immersive audio design—we’ve helped build studios of every shape and size.
Reach out below and let’s talk about what you’re working on.
Let’s bring your vision to life.
